Trail riders tip their hats to Bill Pickett

By Manuella Libardi

Updated 9:36 am, Monday, June 16, 2014

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Two horses are tied to a fence in the shade during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday afternoon. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Two horses are tied to a fence in the shade during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday afternoon. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Mario Green helps train up pony Jimmy for a younger rider on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Mario Green helps train up pony Jimmy for a younger rider on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Kenadee Goodman, 8, rides in Laday Arena on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Kenadee Goodman, 8, rides in Laday Arena on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Ryan Duplechain, 17, practices his roping technique on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Ryan Duplechain, 17, practices his roping technique on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Becky Lewis sits in a camp chair near her horse, Esau, in the shade Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Becky Lewis sits in a camp chair near her horse, Esau, in the shade Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Freda Perkins, left, watches as Mario Green rides a horse in the Laday Arena during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Freda Perkins, left, watches as Mario Green rides a horse in the Laday Arena during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Robert Goodman lashes his horse to a fence next to two others at Laday Arena on Saturday during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Robert Goodman lashes his horse to a fence next to two others at Laday Arena on Saturday during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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A horse is tied to a fence at Laday Arena during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

A horse is tied to a fence at Laday Arena during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Horses stick their noses out the windows of a horse trailer at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Horses stick their noses out the windows of a horse trailer at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Willie Semien talks with the Beaumont Enterprise while sitting on Miss Dede on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Willie Semien talks with the Beaumont Enterprise while sitting on Miss Dede on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Chance Sonnier, 11, climbs down from a fence at Laday Arena on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Chance Sonnier, 11, climbs down from a fence at Laday Arena on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Riders start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Riders head out on Boyt Road during Saturday's trail ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders head out on Boyt Road during Saturday's trail ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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A rider guides his horse past a Bill Pickett Trail Ride banner at Laday Arena on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

A rider guides his horse past a Bill Pickett Trail Ride banner at Laday Arena on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Derek Moore, 14, tries to guide his horse during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Derek Moore, 14, tries to guide his horse during the Bill Pickett Trail Ride on Saturday. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Harold Williams, Jr., 2, Kortnee Michelle Solomon, 4, and Logan McCulane, 9, left to right, practice their roping skills on Saturday at the Bill Pickett Trail Ride. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around ... more

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around 200-300 horses took part in Saturday's ride.
Photo taken Saturday 6/14/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Riders and party wagons start out on Saturday's trail ride from Laday Arena. The Bill Pickett Trail Riders Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo was held at Laday Arena from June 13-15, 2014. Around ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Trail riders tip their hats to Bill Pickett

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About 300 gray, chestnut, black, brown, spotted and even albino horses traveled Saturday about five miles down Boyt Road in Cheek with their African-American cowboys and cowgirls on their backs.

The riders sang and drank as they headed toward Brooks Road where they took a 45 minute break from the Southeast Texas sun.

Darrell Bill with the Laid-Back Trailriders in Beaumont was responsible for feeding his fellow trail riders He was selling homemade boudin, fried pork chops, chicken wings, pralines and tea cakes.

The event is organized by Beaumont native Acynthia Villery as a way to give back to her hometown and celebrate the Creole-cowboy heritage. She founded the event 10 years ago when Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo producer Lu Vason gave her the rights to the "Bill Pickett."

Bill Pickett was an African-American cowboy and rodeo performer in the 1920s, famous for his bulldogging, a technique in which a rider drops from a horse to a steer, and wrestles it to the ground by twisting its horns.